“He’s the best speaker I have ever heard.I felt like he was talking directly to me.” - Michael, 9th grader

Need funding for Justin's program?

1. Get together with another school in your area on the same day. Justin's fee is cut nearly in HALF for your school when you share Justin with another school. He can speak at your school in the morning, the other school in the afternoon and then catch a flight home. This way, Justin speaks to more students, and you save money…it's a win for everyone. Justin is easy to promote to other schools and decision makers…just forward them a link to www.NationalSchoolSpeaker.com and share your plan.

2. Check with your school administration for funding from the Associated Student Body fund. For teacher in-service programs, ask about Staff Development -- Title VI funding.

3. Plan to integrate and highlight Justin into a major theme such as cultural awareness week, health day, Red Ribbon Week, etc. Federal grant money might be available for your theme. For example, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA) might approve a funding request for a speaker who addresses alcohol and drug prevention, sexual abstinence, tobacco use, teen pregnancy, gangs, crime and violence prevention. Check with your school district or federal government office to find out who is dispensing these funds in your state. Request an application form.

4. Other grant monies from your state may be available. Apply by contacting your State Department of Human Services and State Department of Education. They can direct you to the correct office -- for example, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division. Contact other local agencies in your county that already have grant monies from state agencies. For example, the Criminal Justice Department or Department of Public Safety might have distributed funds into mental health agencies or programs for mentoring youth, etc.

5. The PTO/PTA at your school is a great resource. Share your plans with them. They are more likely to contribute funds if your plan is well thought out.

7. Here is another real win-win situation. Contact several of your larger local businesses, especially those related to services for teens and their families. Ask for the owner, CEO or Community Services Department. If they are willing to help sponsor the speaker, you can exchange the favor by announcing their support to your students and parents.

8. Invite multiple clubs on campus to participate and help in a fund raising project. A cooperative effort helps students collaborate and learn about the realities of time and effort in acquiring funding in the real world.